Los Angeles is home to world-famous museums, sprawling gallery districts, and some of the most recognizable public art in the country. But one of the city’s largest art collections is hiding in a place many Angelenos pass through without a second glance: the Metro system.
From massive mosaics and surreal sculptures to immersive installations that transform entire stations, Metro Art has spent decades turning train stations into cultural landmarks.
Metro’s art program integrates original works directly into station architecture, creating pieces that reflect the neighborhoods they serve.
Here are some of the standout artworks worth riding the rails for:
Will Power Allegory — Little Tokyo/Arts District Station
Artist Audrey Chan created a vibrant series of panels celebrating Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Skid Row, Bronzeville, and Tongva history. The work functions as a visual map of the communities surrounding the station and has quickly become one of the Regional Connector’s most photographed installations.
Who, What, Where? — Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station
Instead of hanging on a wall, artist Mark Lere’s work is embedded into the station itself. Images are sandblasted directly into the platform pavement, encouraging riders to look down and discover details they might otherwise miss.
The Movies: Fantasies and Spectacles — 7th Street/Metro Center
Joyce Kozloff’s ceramic tile murals resemble a film strip unfurling across the station platform, paying tribute to Hollywood’s outsized influence on Los Angeles culture.
The newest chapter of Metro Art arrived with the D Line extension. New stations along Wilshire Boulevard feature nine site-specific works by artists including Todd Gray, Eamon Ore-Giron, Ken Gonzales-Day, Fran Siegel, Karl Haendel, Mariana Castillo Deball, Susan Silton, Mark Dean Veca, and Soo Kim. Metro describes the experience as a series of immersive artworks integrated throughout the stations rather than standalone pieces added afterward.
Union Station is now welcoming visitors to join their free Art & Architecture Tours, which will occur on select weekends now through June. Metro Art, the organization behind L.A. Metro’s most stunning public art pieces around the city, hosts these limited tours that give visitors an unparalleled look at Union Station. The guided walk explores the intricacies of the station’s Mission Moderne architecture alongside sculptural seating, art, murals, and even a voice-activated light and sound installation that’s hidden in plain sight.
How to explore Metro Art
The best way to experience Metro Art is to turn a train ride into a self-guided gallery tour. Downtown’s Regional Connector stations are especially rewarding because multiple major commissions can be seen within a short walk of one another.
In a city known for driving, some of Los Angeles’ most impressive public art isn’t found inside a museum at all. It’s waiting underground, one train stop away.
